Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line your 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Use a spatula to stir until the mixture is smooth, slightly fluffy, and fragrant.
Add the oats, chocolate chips, and salt to the bowl. Stir everything together until the oats and chocolate are evenly coated and there’s a sticky, textured dough.
Transfer the mixture into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to press it down firmly, spreading and smoothing out the surface for an even layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, until the edges turn a golden brown and you can smell toasted oats and peanut butter wafting through your kitchen.
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, lift out the bars using the parchment paper and transfer them to a wire rack.
Allow the bars to cool completely—this helps them set and makes slicing easier. When cooled, cut into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife for clean, neat edges.
Serve your chewy bars as a comforting snack or sweet treat, enjoying their rustic, messy texture and rich flavor.